Hiking with a friend

 

Tom on top of Parker Ridge overlooking Tumbledown and Crater Lake 

Click Photos to Enlarge

In the early 1990s, I applied to a doctoral program at UNH that I wasn't qualified for at the time (I hadn't completed a masters). But, for some reason, I was offered an interview. During the interview I met Tom Newkirk––professor, writer, good guy, hiker... and swimmer, who once, with his relay team, posted a time that put them 8th in world for masters swimmers. How good is that? 

Several weeks after my interview at UNH, I received a postcard from Tom explaining his side job as an acquisitions editor with Heinemann publishing. He asked if I'd be interested in sending along some of the writing about my high school classroom. I mailed him a few chapters, he liked what he read, and the rest is history: he served as editor of two of my books (Room 109 and Beyond Room 109) and then invited me to co-edit/author a book with him titled Teaching the Neglected 'R'.  I've been a lucky guy.  

Today, we hiked Parker Ridge trail in the Tumbledown range (3012ft). Temps were in the 80s and humidity ran high not unlike the rest of this gawd awful hot summer. On a misty day back in the 1990s, Tom and I hiked Tumbledown's Brook trail, but today we got a solid view.  As always, click on the photos to enlarge. 

View of the Tumbledown range from Burt's Point:

Old Tired Guy at the top of the Parker Ridge Trail overlooking Crater Lake:

Western Mountains of Maine looking out at the Mahoosuc Range: 

Tom with a view of Tumbledown: 

T

The UNH Mountain Goat: 

Slugging our way up Parker Ridge on a steamy summer day: 

Chowing down on a Kent Classic: PBJ Wrap.  

Trekking through the lower sections of Parker Ridge:

Lake Webb from Parker Ridge trail:

Our Yesterdays

 

Mount Prospect Ski Tow and Glades

I nearly drove off Route 3 when I saw the sign for Mount Prospect Ski Tow and Glades as I headed toward Weeks State Park and a hike up Mount Prospect. How cool is this place? I loved the little ski slope that is about the same size as Rumford's 1950's Scottie's ski area.  The following is taken from the Mount Prospect Ski Tow and Glades website: 

Located south of Lancaster, New Hampshire, Mt. Prospect is a small, state-owned, club leased ski area. Lift served skiing on the northern slope of Mt. Prospect likely dates back to the early 1940s. The initial operation was likely short lived, however, as the area closed during part or all of World War II. It likely reopened for the 1946-47 season and operated when natural snowfall allowed during subsequent decades. Mount Prospect Ski Club, Inc. was formed as a non-profit corporation in the fall of 1982. In February of 1989, the State of New Hampshire Executive Council approved a five year lease for the Mount Prospect Ski Club's ski area in the state park.

Closure

The ski area likely closed following the 1996-97 season due to lack of snowfall. The base building collapsed the following year, further complicating the situation.

Rebirth

After sitting idle for over a decade, locals rallied and reopened Mt. Prospect during the winter of 2007-08. The ski area continues to operate when natural snow allows with a 1957 Chevrolet powered rope tow, three trails, grooming, and a warming yurt. Volunteers staff the area, while the Town of Lancaster provides funds to cover liability insurance.   

Sign on Route 3 right before Weeks State Park

Ski area map and donation spot

A 2-minute walk up from the parking lot through 

the woods to the slopes

The Mount Prospect Ski Tow Lodge (Really)

Storage shed

Abandoned stove

In the fall, the ski club puts up a yurt, so here's

the "real" lodge. 

Loading point of rope tow

First tower

Instructions to lift attendant

Rope 

The open slopes of Mount Prospect 

Top of the rope tow. 

Emergency stop

Top of the rope tow

Glades

Trail around Mount Prospect 

Mount Prospect, Weeks State Park

                                         

Early on Saturday after a fun evening with Carol and Jerry, I headed off for Weeks State Park and Mount Prospect. I climbed the road to the top (:27) and took pictures. What's interesting is the guy who worked to develop National Forests willed his summer home on the top of Mount Prospect to the state. What great views he had. 

                                                    

                                                   

Sngle-lane road to the top. 

Only open Saturday and Sunday

Fire watch tower on the top. 

View from Mount Prospect

Cloud enshrouded White Mountains. 

Alternative trails--one goes all the way around 

the base of Mt Prospect... um, no thank you./ 

North View...

 

"Glamping" with Friends

Carol and Jerry Kiesman

I've known Jerry since the early 1980s. We met on a soccer field--he was playing and I was refereeing. We've coached together, taught together, and traveled together for just about 40 years. How Carol can stand listening to our stories is beyond me. Oh--wait--she's a good sport (also known as a saint).

I stayed in one state park last year in northern New Hampshire. This private park, Roger's Campground, right on Route 2 outside Lancaster, offered a full hook up and that was helpful in the morning when the temps hit 55 degrees and heat seemed like a smart idea.  

Carol and Jerry are both school administrators who spend their summers traveling in this monster of a trailer, a.k.a., a 5th wheel. They stay in places like Bar Harbor, Morrison VT, and the southern coast of Maine. It'll be fun to see what they do and where they go when they retire. They're thinking about full timing for a while, so let's see what happens to these two free spirits and friends.   

Their little 5th wheel

Their friend Rich

The view from Roger's Campground